THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS

Updated
27.
09.
2017

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

The Grand Canyon South Rim is one of the “7 Wonders of the World” and is the most well known part of the Grand Canyon, one of the most famous and visited parks in the USA. The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips will tell you how it is to visit this unique place.

Created by the force of the winds, rain and waters from the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon National Park has awesome landscapes. For many people, it is one of the places that must be visited before they die.

1) THE SIZE – THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK- BEST TIPS

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

– The average depth of the Grand Canyon National park is 1.6km and the average width is 16km;

– Its extension is of 466 km, from Lees Ferry to Grand Wash Cliffs;

– The Colorado River, which from the top of the Grand Canyon National Park appears to be narrow, is 91m wide;

– More than half of the Grand Canyon belongs to the Grand Canyon National Park;

– With 6,734 km2, the Grand Canyon National Park is larger than the State of Delaware;

– Scientific research found within the National Park: 1750 species of plants, more than 90 species of mammals and 362 species of birds.

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

2) WHEN TO VISIT – THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS

The Grand Canyon South Rim is open year-round. However, the Grand Canyon North Rim only opens from May 15 to October 15 each year. Believe me: we tried to get into the North Rim in February, but it’s unfeasible because the road is completely frozen. We saw several cars from the locals of the region that skidded and left the track. The photo below shows the road near the North Rim.

THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS: THE NORTH RIM IS CLOSED FOR 5 MONTHS EVERY YEAR, MAINLY DUE TO THE HEAVY SNOW IN THE AREA!

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

We would never go in July or August, because it’s the American summer vacation. We already found it very crowded in February, imagine in the summer … Because the road that passes inside the park has only one lane for each direction, traffic is a problem. Another factor are the gigantic parking lots in which you will stop super far from the belvederes and will have to walk long distances in the heat of the asphalt …

THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS: AVOID JULY AND AUGUST, SPRING BREAK AND HOLIDAYS! IF THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU, ARRIVE AT THE PARK BEFORE 9AM!

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

By the way, this is an interesting point: We prefer places not so crowded when we want to enjoy nature. This was one of the reasons we preferred Antelope Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion Canyon. The contact is more intimate in these parks, which are beautiful and peaceful, enabling you to better enjoy the natural beauties. You easier to have a more active role in these parks.

3) WHAT TO DRESS AND CARRY WITH YOU – THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARKS – BEST TIPS

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

We can tell you that in the winter, it is imperative to wear a super jacket, cap or ear protector, scarf and thick gloves. Besides being very cold, the wind makes the thermal sensation very low. In February, when we went, there was some remaining snow on the edges of the canyon.

THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS: IN THE WINTER MAKE SURE YOU ARE WARM AND IN THE SUMMER, DON’T FORGET MOSQUITOES REPELLENT E SUNSCREEN!

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

In the summer, do not forget about mosquitoes repellent, hat and sunscreen! And I would take care and avoid many exposed body areas. For us, summer presents bigger a problem because of the heat of the desert and the excess of sun exposure, which are more difficult to deal with.

THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS: CARRY WATER ANS SNACKS WITH YOU!

4) HOW TO GET THERE – THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

BY CAR: For us, whenever possible, this is the best option, because it gives you more freedom. If you do not like one place, just go away and drive to another. Besides being able to stay as long as you want. The roads in the area are really good. It’s very easy to drive there. As always, we use RentalCars, which works with the best car rental companies and offers the lowest price guaranteed! Make your quote and book through our link! It’s easy and costs nothing more to you!

THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS: GO BY CAR RENTED THROUGH OUR LINK FROM RENTALCARS!

BY BUS: There are several tours departing from Las Vegas.

BY HELICOPTER: You can either just take a ride on the Grand Canyon, leaving and returning from Las Vegas, without stopping anywhere, as you can use the helicopter to travel from Las Vegas.

5) SOUTH RIM, NORTH RIM OU WEST RIM? THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

If you are feeling lost, don’t worry. We felt the same before our trip. Take a look here:

SOUTH RIM: It’s the southern edge of the Grand Canyon. It’s the one you should visit for sure. It is open the whole year, with more infrastructure, more activities and 12 belvederes to enjoy the landscape. The belvederes we highlight are at Desert View Point’s Watch Tower and Mather Point.

THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS: VISIT THE SOUTH RIM!

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

NORTH RIM: It closes in the winter, has little infrastructure and only 3 belvederes. It’s for those who already know the South Rim.

WEST RIM: That’s where the Skywalk is located.

6) PRICES – THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

You will pay $30.00 dollars per car for the license that will entitle you to ride within the South Rim for 1 week. If you are on a tour bus, the ticket will cost US$15.00 dollars per person.

The North Rim charges the same price.

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

In the West Rim, that is managed by the Indians, the prices are much more expensive. The Gold Package prices (entrance + Skywalk + opportunity to take pictures with the Indians + bus between the 3 lookouts) are:

-Adults $ 82.37 dollars;

-Children ages between 3 to 11: US $ 62.09 dollars.

If you want the photo they take of you in the Skywalk, you will pay extra $ 35.00 dollars! No! You can not take your camera, or cell phone, as it is forbidden to take pictures!

7) EXTRA TOURS IN THE SOUTH RIM – THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

For us, that’s one of the lowlights. There are several famous tours. However, in general, they are expensive and very limited. You have to book months or years in advance. It is not for the average tourist. Two examples:

– 2 DAYS AND 1 NIGHT BY MULE: Only 10 visitors a day descend to the Colorado River and sleep at the Phantom Lodge. It is necessary to book 13 months in advance.

– HELICOPTER RIDE: With duration of 20-25min, it costs from US$ 219,00.

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

8) HOW LONG TO STAY – THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARKS – BEST TIPS

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

We spent 1 day in the South Rim. It seems little, but after a while and several belvederes, we began to find the landscape repetitive and we decided to leave. We had even booked a night in a hotel, but after the visit we thought it wouldn’t be worth staying longer.

There is a video at the Grand Canyon’s own website that shows you how to get to visit the Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim, in 4 hours!

9) SOUTH RIM HOURS – THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS

The Grand Canyon National Park – Best Tips

The Grand Canyon National Park South Rim stays open 365 days of the year, 24hs every day.

10) OUR ITINERARY IN THIS TRIP – THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS

We spent 23 days, in February 2017, touring the United States. Firstly, we stayed for a week skiing in the Salt Lake City region: Alta, Brighton and Solitude. Then, we went to Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon. They are all completely different from each other and wonderful options! We ended the trip in Las Vegas, because that’s where the nearest international airport is located.

THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – BEST TIPS: WHEN VISITING THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, MAKE ROOM TO INCLUDE THE ANTELOPE CANYON IN YOUR TRIP!

Distances:

-From Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon: 434km (about 4 hours);

-From Bryce Canyon to Zion Canyon: 138km (about 01h50min);

-From Zion Canyon to Antelope Canyon: 200km (about 02h30min) – Do not miss the post VISITING THE ANTELOPE CANYON: THE MOST SPECTACULAR CANYON IN USA!

Visiting Antelope Canyon – The most spectacular canyon in USA

– From the Antelope Canyon to the Grand Canyon National Park: 217km (about 02:32 min). We arrived by the city of Cameron and left by Tusayan.

– From Grand Canyon to Las Vegas: 446km (about 04h16min).

Obviously, the distances vary according to the routes chosen and the travel time according to the time of the year, traffic, road works or accidents on the roads.

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Claudio Mello e Souza

He's always choosing the next destination. Former swimmer, he's crazy about sports and trips that take him to nature paradises. He loves to drive around the world. He likes a lot family moments, specially at the house in Canela, located in the hills of Rio Grande do Sul.